New museum of aviation | News |
News frontpage | |
Greenlandair is an integral part of the history of Greenland. This is amply demonstrated at Greenland's newest museum located in Kangerlussuaq. All of Greenlandair's history is included from the humble beginnings of chartered aircraft to ownership of DC 4's, DC 6B's and - the most recent acquisition - the Dash 7 which arrived during the 1970's. Throughout most of this period, the Sikorsky S-61 N choppers are lauded, especially the OY-HAF, which made its maiden flight in 1965 and is still going strong flying the routes along the west coast of Greenland. The museum also describes expedition flights, mail delivery flights services, reconnaisance flights over the ice and search party and supply missions to the former USAF DYE outposts. The idea for the museum arose when a commemorative exhibition for Narsarsuaq's 50th jubilee was held in 1991. The exhibition was so well recieved that major Paul E. Ancker M.A. of the danish Institute of Aeronautics, who had arranged the 1991 exhibition, was appointed project coordinator for the establishment of the new museum. The museum is located in a building of some historic value. This building was constructed in connection with the establishment of the Arctic route. It was initially used as a hotel for transit passengers and then later it was used as a command post and as headquarters for the US Air Force Sondrestrom Base. The building was completely renovated before its conversion to a museum. Kangerlussuaq Museum not only describes the history of Greenlandair. It is also a local museum, giving a vivid account of the entire history of aviation in the region. |